The horizon is changing in area high school football

Spring football is over and teams have laid the groundwork for the upcoming season. Once again, area teams take a measure of optimism into the summer break, hoping that what they have accomplished in the 20 allowed spring practices, will translate into victories in the fall. HTPreps, after touring the spring football workouts of the various schools, has compiled a guidepost for the upcoming season, featuring teams and players watch.

5 TOP STORYLINES FOR THE 2014 SEASON

1. WHAT’S UP AT MANATEE?
How will Manatee High respond after head coach Joe Kinnan missed the entire spring practice on medical leave and how will the Hurricanes offense mesh without quarterback Josh Myers, who is on suspension. The offensive line, which lost all five starters from last season had to be rebuilt and some holes will need to be filled on defense.

2. FOLLOWING A LEGEND
How will Southeast High adjust to new head coach John Warren. The Seminoles are moving on after the retirement of Paul Maechtle, who had the longest uninterrupted tenure of all head coaches in the area, 33 years.

3. IT’S ALL ON THE LINE
The area will have at least three Division I offensive linemen playing in the fall, the best group from one senior class in the area in a long time. Tyler Gauthier of Venice High, Wyatt Knopfke of Cardinal Mooney High, who has verbally committed to Boston College, and Grant Polk of Charlotte High, who has at least 20 Division I offers, will command as much attention as their quarterbacks this season.

4. IN WITH THE NEW
How will Sarasota High and Booker High do under new head coaches coming off playoff seasons? Resharde Goodwyn takes over at Booker for Johnnie Jones and Brian Ryals replaces Ed Volz at Sarasota. Both men have distinctly different coaching styles than their predecessors. However, both Goodwyn and Ryals were assistants for their respective schools last year, so they have the advantage of familiarity with the players.

5. WHO IS JACK ALLISON?
The Palmetto High rising junior quarterback has only been a varsity starter for one year, but already he is on the radar of some big-time Division I schools. Alabama, Miami, Georgia, Tennessee and the University of South Florida, which has already offered Allison, have him on their recruiting boards. Allison will have a great opportunity, with an outstanding group of wide receivers around him, to show off his passing skills in the upcoming season.

Last modified: June 4, 2014
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